Manor Downs was near Manor, TX and just outside the Austin metro area. This was the 3rd of 5 shows there ['77-'85]. The first one was legendary and '83 is cool. This one has specific highlights – if not as good as the show before [7/29 Red Rocks]. They came on late and played until 1am. The SBD mix is quite dry and pitches are off on most sources. For the second set (and much of the first) a MTX improves the sound; on the OFF the show just doesn't connect.

First Set. Alabama Getaway is half trainwreck, half Jer trying hard. Only the AUDs or MTX are truly listenable. They start to fall in for Promised Land. The sweet Candyman is spun and set down gently onto a sticky surface. After El Paso (natch), a Spring Song tuning readies a very good Bird Song that's ethereal yet intricate. Jer becomes faint on the OFF during Little Red Rooster, and Phil louder, but the MTX is better (be prepared for Bobby's Slide Practice™). The MTX is also much livelier for Ramble on Rose, and necessary for It's All Over Now. The latter is bunce – understated but angular. There's a To Lay Me Down tease, but no, it's Brown Eyed Women. Wasn't the right card to pick; it trainwrecks when Jer misses the 1st chorus, though he works to bring it back. Music Never Stopped features the band beyond religion, where Bobby muffs almost every verse. Deal is sewed together, so all will think good thoughts on the break.

Second Set. This time the verses elude Jer, in Scarlet, but the jam is fine. The SBD is better than the OFF for Fire on the Mountain, but the MTX is more exciting. There's plenty to dig here. Must hear once.
There's some "ouch" and some average in the rest of the set, after a loose, hoarse Estimated. The SBD is patched for the gap in Eyes of the World, but the OFF instead cuts 19secs. After Garcia & Lesh leave for Drums, Bobby & Brent stay briefly for a jam with the drummers. Near the end of Space, Bobby starts playing harmonics, leading to an Uncle John's. When Jer plays the opening riff for Truckin' there's resistance from the universe and it first has to self-morph. The last couple mins are nice, but Morning Dew is the best part of the set (at least, since FotM). Dough Knees is always a welcome encore.

1st Set:  B-
2nd Set: C
Overall = 3 stars

Highlights:
Candyman - on a sticky surface
Bird Song - ethereal but intricate
It's All Over Now - understated but angular

SOURCES: AUDs and MTXs are more exciting than the SBDs. The nakcm700_martin_warner_19017 is a good AUD – looks like all AUDs run a bit fast. The jeffm_13310 SBD improved the sound over previous circs but runs fast, needing -2% pitch correction through LRR, then -1%. The 141511_sbd has the best sound (of the SBDs) but it's noticeably fast (needing -2% pitch correction) and some tracks cut into the song boundaries. 30 Trips has the whole show, except a shortened Eyes, and has a better pitch, needing just -1% adjustment. Definitive Live has Bird Song.

Steady gallop, good pace. We're getting some immaculate audio these days. Starts good and just gets better, jump on!

Fun show! Love the pacing the boys were playing at. Thanks for sharing!